Decomposition of Sphagnum mosses in Western Siberia bog ecosystems (on the example of Sphagnum fuscum)

Abstract On the base of experiments there were recorded the greatest mass losses of Sphagnum fuscum samples flat palsa mires in the first year of experiment, in the following years decay rate decreased significantly (from 24 % to 16 %). On middle taiga bogs there was observed decay rate increasing over the third year while on southern taiga bogs Sphagnum fuscum was decomposed almost evenly over three years. On ridges of ridge-hollow complex of middle taiga and southern taiga mass losses under destruction were greater than those in ryams. The most dynamic decomposition was recorded for forest-steppe ryam with decay mass losses over three years of 56% average.